West Gold Mine

West Gold Mine & Mill

Location

The West Gold Mine and Mill is located Approximately 1 mile southwest of Idaho Springs, on State Highway 103, located in the Jackson Mining District.

Installation of approximately 300 feet of 24 inch diameter HDPE “Advanced Drainage Systems” corrugated pipe. The purpose of the trough is to conduct storm water flow down the slope without contacting the mine dump material.

Summary

Located on National Forest System land, West Gold Mine and Mill is a steeply sloping hill directly behind residential buildings covering approximately 2 acres of land with reportedly 5,636 feet of tunnels, shafts and drifts. Chicago Creek being impacted by runoff from the mill waste-rock piles into the creek. Work completed included construction of a containment/diversion berm and retaining walls to contain and control contaminant flow from the mine waste dump. A spillway was constructed at the north end of the berm. Potential flow from the spillway is now directed to a diversion trench which takes the drainage approximately 100 feet to the east of the mine dump area. Installation of corrugated pipe trough with a riprap stilling basin at the lower terminus of the trough to conduct storm water flow down the slope without contacting the mine dump material prior to entering Chicago Creek.

Clear Creek Watershed Foundation

The Clear Creek Watershed Foundation (CCWF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the ecological, aesthetic, recreational and economic conditions in the Clear Creek Watershed through comprehensive and cooperative efforts with watershed stakeholders.